Strawberry Quilter Receives Much-Deserved Award

PINE-STRAWBERRY

Hopefully, you all saw the photo of Willene Smith in the Payson Roundup receiving the Humanitarian Award for her outstanding service. The Executive Board of the Arizona Quilters Guild determined that outstanding members should be recognized for long and dedicated service to the Guild, their leadership and willingness to give. Willene Smith of Strawberry is the first recipient of this award, and it has been named in her honor. Congratulations, Willene. The award is certainly well deserved.

This is the weekend for "Shining A Light in Pine: A Celebration of Dyslexic Artists."

Myra and her committee have worked endlessly on this event. Tonight, Friday, May 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Pine Community Center, you can hear Terri Bowersock of Terri's Consign and Design, John Corcoran, author of the book, "The Teacher who Couldn't Read," and Patricia Polacco, producer of the video, "The Heroes in my Life" and others. These same speakers will be part of the program for parents tomorrow, Saturday, May 13, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. while the children work with local artists in a variety of mediums.

A "Get Ready to Read" screening for 4- and 5-year-olds will be provided free by the Arizona Literacy and Learning Center on Saturday. Everyone should bring a picnic lunch on Saturday. Visit with the artists and enjoy refreshments on Saturday evening at Myra's Gallery from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Adults only, please. For all other activities, everyone is invited and there is no charge. The art show will run from May 11 through May 21 at Myra's Gallery in Pine.

Come to the Luau sponsored by Strawberry's Elite from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, at the Mogollon Steak House (formerly the Black Bear) in Strawberry. Tickets are $13 each or two for $25. Trouble in Paradise will provide lively, fun music. The food will be delicious and the funds raised from this event will help families in need in Pine and Strawberry.

The Pine Strawberry Arts and Crafts Show will have a full house of vendors with a wide selection of products, art and crafts for their Memorial Weekend Event. On Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be food, music, fun, raffles and information booths. The P/S Fire Department will serve a pancake breakfast both mornings and the seniors will be making their famous Navajo Tacos. There will be lots to see, do and eat at this year's Arts and Crafts show.

Pine Library Friend's book sale will be in their activity building at the Pine Community Center on Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a great time to stock up with books, videos and books on tape for your summer reading and traveling. Children's and junior books will be abundant. Buy raffle tickets for the terrific tea basket.

Summer Drama Classes will be offered this summer in Pine. Sandy Carver is a retired high school drama teacher, and she would like to offer these workshops for students in grades K through 12. The two-hour classes would run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for six weeks in the Pine Library Activity Room. Classes would be small with lots of individual attention. There will be four classes divided by age. The younger groups will work on story drama, pantomime, theater games, role play and creative drama. The older students will learn improvisation, acting basics, period acting, characterization and scene study. What an opportunity this is for our school-age children. For more information, call Sandy at (928) 476-4682.

"Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales" is the theme of the children's summer reading program presented by the Pine Library. Beginning June 1, the program is every Thursday morning from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Pine Library Activity Center at the rear of the Pine Community Center. Register now for this great program for children ages 3 through 12 living or visiting in the Pine/Strawberry area. There will be reading, crafts, special visitors, fun and surprises.

The Strawberry Patcher's Quilt Show will be from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, June 9, 10 and 11 in the Cultural Hall at the Pine Community Center. This is the 10th year for this amazing display of gorgeous hand- and machine-crafted quilts.

Raffle tickets will be available for The Opportunity Quilt for $1 each, or 6 for $5. Appraisals will be done by Karen Housner by appointment. There will be a vendor mall including The Berry Patch Boutique. For quilt entry forms or more information, call Gloria Fohr at (928) 476-3623 or Grace Davey, (928) 476-4573. Admission is $1.

This year's Strawberry Festival, June 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature a variety of events and activities in both Pine and Strawberry. The Art and craft booths will be in the Pine Community Center. There will be all-things strawberry, food, music and fun.

In Strawberry, there will be Strawberry Jam Live Music, food, fun and games. All restaurants will have exciting strawberry treats.

Volunteers are still needed with tasks such as set up Friday afternoon and early Saturday morning, and take down after four on Sunday afternoon. This is our event. Please come and spend a few hours helping our communities and meeting your neighbors. Call me, Christy, at (928) 476-2239 to volunteer. There are both sit-down tasks and back-straining tasks. Your choice.

Please provide information for this column regarding upcoming events, activities and items of interest for residents and visitors of Pine and Strawberry. Call or fax (928) 476-2239 or e-mail cpwrather @earthlink.net.